Interview: Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue seeking foster homes in the Midwest

When you think of “rescue cats”, what comes to mind? Probably a tabby cat, or perhaps an orange tomcat. It is true that the majority of cats in shelters and rescue are mixed breed, but once in a while a purebred cat will find itself without a forever home, too. That’s where Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue comes in!

Many of the cats at SPCR arrive neglected and in desperate
need of veterinary care

Many purebred cats do not adjust well in a shelter environment. Sensitive breeds like Siamese and Sphynx can become very ill, very quickly when placed in a stressful shelter situation. Purebred cats like Persians and Himalayans have rigorous grooming requirements, and often arrive with painful mats in their long coats. Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue takes in these special purebred cats, provides the proper veterinary care, and matches them up with new forever homes.

SPCR is an all volunteer group, and relies on the generosity of foster homes to provide shelter, care, socialization, and even nurse neglected or abused cats back to health. The number of purebred cats needing help is far greater than you might expect, and Purebred Cat Rescue is desperately seeking more foster homes.

Kirsten Kranz,  Rescue Director of Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue, was kind enough to grant Mad About Pets an interview outlining the need for foster homes within their organization. Please read on to learn more about this wonderful rescue group!

(Mad About Pets) Where do the cats in your rescue organization generally come from?

(SPCR) Our cats come from everywhere. They come from shelters all over the midwest that call us to take their cats. They come from owners who can no longer keep them. They come off the streets when people find them. It's pretty much never-ending.

Siamese cats are one of the common breeds SPCR takes in

What are the most common types of cats seen in your rescue?

We most commonly see Siamese, Persians, Himlayans and Ragdolls. These are the most common purebreds out there and the most being bred. We place more than 500 cats a year.

What exactly is a foster home, and what are foster parents expected to do?

A foster home provides a safe haven for these cats to de-stress, get better and receive any vet attention they need so they can move on to their Forever Homes. Our rescue is entirely foster-based so we rely on our foster homes to care for and evaluate these cats for placement. Foster parents are expected to provide a quiet, spare room and consistent care for the cats in their care. They need to be able to take them to one of our vets as needed, assess the cats' needs and personalities and work closely with us throughout the process. Cats are adopted by screened and pre-approved adopters from the foster parents' homes or from local Petsmart stores.

Why are foster homes so important to Purebred Cat Rescue?

We are entirely foster based. Without foster homes this rescue would not exist!

SPCR takes in rare and unusual breeds, too!

Are there certain areas/cities where you are in the most need of new foster homes right now?

The Madison and Milwaukee areas certainly need more foster homes as the need is very great. We could also use fosters in the Racine/Kenosha area.

How can Mad About Pets’ readers get more information about becoming a foster home for your organization?

Please go to our website at http://www.purebredcatrescue.org/fostering-info . We have a fostering information page there.

If you are interested in helping out Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue, there are many ways! First, please consider fostering. This is the most direct way you can help. If you’re looking for a new feline friend, you should also consider adoption from SPCR! There are constantly new cats listed on the website, and all of them are looking for a great new home.

If you’re unable to foster or adopt at this time, there are many other ways to assist SPCR on their mission. Check out this page to learn all about items the rescue needs to care for the cats, donating through iGive, and many more ways to help out!

Animal Hoarding: How Many Pets Are Too Many?

Recently there have been several news articles on the number of pets that should be allowed in a home or physical area. Pet lovers want to be able to have as many pets as they can, while the people who are concerned about the number of pets worry about the care that the pets are getting. In the end it should come down to how well the pets are being cared for, and their needs before the needs of others. If you love animals you may already have one or two dogs or cats, and you may be considering adding other animals to the mix. There is no set number at how many pets are "too many", but you should take several factors into consideration before you get another pet.

Proper Care

One of the biggest considerations if you want to add another animal to your family is whether or not you can continue to provide proper care for the animal. Each animal takes time and money for proper care. Some of the saddest pet stories on the news are when the owners simply had too many pets, became overwhelmed, and were not able to properly care for their pets. It is best to slowly add to your pets one at a time, so that you do not end up having to give away animals that you have grown to love. Always consider the cost of food, veterinary care, and other variable expenses when adding a new pet to the family. Also, part of good pet care is having a plan in place in the event you have to evacuate. The more pets you have, the harder it will be to find a shelter or a hotel that will let you bring your pets.

Space Considerations

Another important aspect of taking on new pets is whether or not you have enough space available for your pet to run and play, as well as to sleep. This may be easier if you have a fenced in yard where your dogs can run around outside. However, you also need enough room inside of the house to accommodate your animals. If you have a large yard or live out in the country, you may be able to take on more pets and animals because you have the additional space. However if you live in an apartment in the city, one pet may be all that is best for you at this time. You must also consider the laws and ordinances for the area you live. Some cities, counties, states, and even countries have strict rules for the type and number of pets that can be kept within their borders.

Humane Treatment

Finally you need to be sure that you are treating your pets humanely. It is important that if you do have an extra litter or if you are breeding dogs that you have a space that allows the animals to stay healthy while they are in your care. If you are someone who wants multiple pets, you will need to make sure you have enough room and time to properly care for the animals. All pet owners (with the exception of commercial breeders) should spay and neuter their pets to avoid unwanted litters, and to help prevent health problems associated with intact animals. Before adding another pet to the family, you should always ask yourself "Why do I want this pet? Am I doing what is in the best interest of this pet and my other pets?" As tempting as it is to take in every cute kitten or puppy you come across, you must always remember to do what is right for the  animal and for your pets at home. Though it's sometimes hard to realize, the right home for that animal may not always be with you.    

Catie Keeler is the primary researcher and writer for mortgagerates.info. Her most recent accomplishments include graduating from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill with a degree in business and communications. Her current focus for the site involves refinance rates and wireless network monitoring.

Deerfield man accused of shooting neighbor's dog

Shawn R. Bierd, age 42, of Deerfield, WI has been charged with Disorderly Conduct and Mistreatment of Animals/Cause Death in Dane County Circuit Court.

Bierd is accused of shooting and killing a German Wirehair Pointer named Catja after she killed one of his chickens on his property. Bierd stated that he chased down the dog and tracked it until he was able to find it, then shot the dog twice with a 20-gauge shotgun (once in the chest, and once in the head).

Bierd stated to the officer investigating the matter than he "absolutely" intended to kill Catja.

Bierd is scheduled for a status conference on September 12, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.

Interview: Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary (and how your help is URGENTLY needed!)

Mad About Pets was fortunate to visit Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary last month, where we were positively blown away by the hard work and dedication of the operator Beth. Critter Camp cares for hundreds of unique and unusual exotic species every day, giving them a safe place to call home. Right now, Critter Camp is almost at full capacity and is looking to expand. As a finalist in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge, you have the opportunity to help give Critter Camp the much-needed funds to expand their operation and build a brand new, green sanctuary for their deserving critters to happily live out their lives. Read on for an exclusive Mad About Pets interview with Critter Camp’s very own Beth, and learn how you can help:  

What is Critter Camp?

Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary cares for unadoptable, abandoned and abused small pets other than cats and dogs. Currently we care for over 300 pets of 36 different species. Critter Camp is the only such licensed non-profit volunteer-operated sanctuary in the entire country. We are located in northern Illinois, but accept animals from as far away as Texas and Florida. We also offer hands-on educational tours where folks get to meet the animals we care for, and we provide public awareness and educational presentations.



Tell us a little about your animals. Which are the most unique? Which are the most challenging?

Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary has saved the lives of thousands of unadoptable pets: elderly, aggressive rabbits, ferrets with adrenal disease and insulinoma, hedgehogs with tumors, birds that bite, mice, rats, hamsters, fennec foxes- you name it – we've saved it!



Most were going to be euthanized, some were found in trash cans and dumpsters!

The kinkajous are the most unique; they have both mauled people and are considered dangerous. Kinks are very cute when they are small, but they often turn mean out of the blue and can do major damage such as tearing an ear off of a person. The fennec foxes are also unique. They are not as dangerous but they are a challenge. They need to be free range roaming about but they are not potty trainable, so there is always a mess. Plus they get into things, so we have to basically baby-proof everything.



Where do the animals at Critter Camp come from?

The animals come to us mostly from shelters where they are going to be euthanized because they are unadoptable due to aggression, old age or chronic illness. Some have come to us from law enforcement, such as the rabbits and guinea pigs that were to be used as bait in a dog fighting ring.



How would winning the Pepsi Refresh challenge help Critter Camp?

Critter Camp relies on donations to care for the animals and, as with many non-profits, the economy has caused a decrease in donations. Fundraising takes a lot of time that could be better spent caring for more animals. Critter Camp is also at capacity for most of the animals we care for and we have plans to expand to a larger facility. Winning the contest would mean that the care of the animals would be funded for a year and we would also have money to buy the land to begin the expansion project. Basically it would mean that Critter camp could save the lives of thousands more pets!

How can readers vote, and when does the contest end?

The entry is here: http://www.refresheverything.com/helpcrittercamp

People can vote once a day, every day until the end of June 2011 August 2011. We only need to be in the top 10 to win $50,000, and we are at #32 right now.

People can vote by signing in with email or their Facebook account, or just by texting their vote:

Text 108022 to Pepsi (73774) to vote from your cell (there is no additional charge for this text other than what they would normally pay for a text.)

Right now the most important thing is to use or send us the Power Vote codes on Pepsi products! They can send the codes to info@crittercamp.biz These are vital to our winning!

The codes are on Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Maxx yellow bottle caps ( 20 oz and 2 L) and inside 12 and 24 pack boxes. These can multiply your votes up to 100x!

We'd like to also invite folks to stop by our website www.crittercamp.org and sign up for our free email newsletter - the sign up box is there on the home page, and to "like" us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/crittercamp 

If we all work together we can save the lives of so many truly "thrown away" animals and give them a healthy, happy, safe place to live out the rest of their lives.

UPDATE: Sun Prairie man accused of brutally murdering pet dog enters not guilty plea

Michael Aasen, age 25, of Sun Prairie, WI who was charged on November 2, 2010 with Mistreatment of Animals (Cause Death), Disorderly Conduct, Battery, and Intentionally Mistreating Animals entered a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect today. The Court will appoint a doctor to evaluate him.

Currently, the case is scheduled for final pre-trial on February 24, 2011 before Honorable Sarah O'Brien, and a jury trial is scheduled to begin March 15, 2011.
 
Keep checking back for further updates on this story!
 
For information about the charges: click here

Sun Prairie man accused of brutally murdering pet dog

Michael Aasen, age 25, of Sun Prairie, WI was charged today with Mistreatment of Animals (Cause Death), Disorderly Conduct, Battery, and Intentionally Mistreating Animals.

Aasen is accused of domestic violence toward his wife. He is also accused of killing the couple's dog by stabbing it in an artery and allowing the animal to bleed to death.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 10, 2010 in this matter before the Honorable Sarah O'Brien in Dane County Circuit Court Branch 16.

To read the full complaint, click here. Be warned: it is very graphic and contains offensive language.

You can also check out the story from Wisconsin State Journal.

Madison cockfighting case dismissed.

Jorge Iglesias (photo below), the Madison man accused last year of running a cockfighting operation out of his home, is a free man. The Dane County District Attorney moved to dismiss all charges on August 17, 2010. All thirteen charges of Instigation of Animal Fights have been dropped, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Click here for more information about the original charges, and here for a great story from the Wisconsin State Journal.

Breaking news: Dwayne Johnson sentenced in puppy-killing case!

Dwayne Johnson, the 35-year-old Madison man who plead no contest to charges of beating a puppy to death with a flashlight in December of 2009, was sentenced today.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi sentenced Dwayne Johnson to 2 1/2 years in prison, and 3 years of extended supervision. Justice is served!

(Pictured: Dwayne R. Johnson, 35, of Madison)

Click here to read about the incredibly cruel charges against the defendant.

Update on 2 Madison animal abuse cases

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 20, 2010 in Dane County Circuit Court in the case of Dwayne Johnson, the man accused of killing a puppy by hitting it over the head with a flashlight.

Click here for details on this case

A decision hearing is scheduled for June 24, 2010 in Dane County Circuit Court in the case of Jorge Iglesias, the man accused of holding cockfights and training fighting birds at his Madison home. Both sides will present briefs prior to the decision hearing.

Click here for details on this case

Before you buy a pet shop puppy...

Ever wonder where those cute puppies you see at the pet shop come from? The answer may surprise and startle you. An Indiana television station recently did a 3-part exposé on this subject with never-before-seen footage that goes behind the scenes of the Midwestern puppy trade. This is a must-see!

WTHR - Indiana's Puppy Pipeline Part 1 @ Yahoo! Video

WTHR - Indiana's Puppy Pipeline Part 2 @ Yahoo! Video

WTHR - Indiana's Puppy Pipeline Part 3 @ Yahoo! Video

Letters/emails still desperately needed for Assembly Bill 793!

An Assembly public hearing was held on Thursday, March 11, 2010 for Assembly Bill 793, but the bill has not yet passed out of Committee. The Senate public hearing will be held on 6 April. Your letters are urgently needed!

This bill would help shelters, animal control facilities, and local governments cope with the thousands upon thousands of dollars incurred in a large seizure or cruelty case. It would also help lessen stress on the animals by reducing the time they must spend in shelter cages.

Write or email your local representative to make sure we get this bill passed! Find contact info for representatives here.

For more information about Assembly Bill 793, see this previous post.

Help DCHS By Supporting Assembly Bill 793 on March 11, 2010

From the Dane County Humane Society:

The committee will hold a public hearing on the following items at the time specified below:

Thursday, March 11, 2010
10:15 AM - or upon adjournment of the Executive Session
415 Northwest
State Capitol, Madison WI

Assembly Bill 793

*Relating to: animals taken into custody.
*By Representatives Pocan, Berceau, Black, Brooks, Hebl, Pasch and Pope-Roberts; cosponsored by Senators Risser, Carpenter, Erpenbach and Miller

MODIFICATIONS TO CHAPTER 173

On June 14, 2006, the FBI executed a U.S. Department of Justice search warrant on the property of Robert Lowery, looking for evidence related to drug trafficking. Lowery was arrested on drug charges and held without bail. The authorities discovered and seized 48 pit bulls housed on the Lowery property – dogs that had allegedly been involved in dog fighting. While Lowery remained in custody, state law enforcement officials gathered the necessary evidence and charged Lowery and his wife Julie in December of 2006 with dog fighting under 951.08, Wis. Stats., a full six months after the dogs had been seized.

In accordance with a contract between Dane County and the Dane County Humane Society (“DCHS”), Lowery’s dogs were held at DCHS pending resolution of the criminal dog fighting charges. As the state and federal criminal cases proceeded, Lowery’s attorneys filed a petition under Chapter 173 of the Wisconsin Statutes (a civil statute) seeking the return of his dogs. In January 2007, the Dane County Circuit Court heard the case. Subsequently, in March 2007 the DCHS, Dane County and the Lowerys settled the civil matter, with the Lowerys agreeing to surrender the dogs in return for a dismissal of charges and a waiver of costs. From the day that the dogs were seized to the day of the settlement, DCHS incurred well over $200,000 in costs. This figure doesn’t include the cost of the original seizure or the attorney fees from the court action. As a result, Dane County included a special $100,000 appropriation in its 2007 budget specifically to help DCHS with the expenses related to the Lowery’s pit bulls.

As a result of this experience, DCHS and Dane County, in association with many other local governments, state prosecutors, humane societies, and non-profits located around the state that have experienced the financial and other adverse consequences associated with animal seizure cases, have sought to have Chapter 173 modified from its current form.

We are therefore introducing the following legislation in order to make these situations less onerous on county governments, private and public animal shelters. Among other things, the proposed legislation will:

1. Change current state law to provide clearer rules enabling a court to require that an owner of an animal who is the subject of a Chapter 173 seizure or a Chapter 951 criminal case, to pay for the reasonable costs of custody and care for the animal.

2. Change current state law to allow local animal shelters working under contract with a political subdivision and having custodial control of an animal impounded under Chapter 173 to directly petition a court for an early disposition of the civil matter.

3. Change current state law by setting reasonable time limits for the court to act on certain items related to any animal seizure and for the owner to respond to various steps in order to expedite the entire disposition process under Chapter 173.

4. Change current state law by removing the requirement that an animal alleged to have been involved in fighting be maintained in custody pending the outcome of any criminal charges, and instead allow that the animal be retained in custody for a period that is reasonable to allow the collection of evidence relating to the animal.

LINKS EXPLAINING CHANGES

*AB-793/SB-580, Revisions to Chapter 173 (Animal Seizure Law)
*Summary of AB-793/SB-580, Revisions to Chapter 173 (Animal Seizure Law)

Please click HERE to see how you can help support this bill!

Jury trial scheduled in puppy beating case

A jury trial is scheduled for March 17, 2010 at 8:30 am in the Dane County Circuit Court for the alleged killing of a puppy in December of 2009.

Dwayne R. Johnson, 35, of Madison is accused of beating the 4-6 week old puppy named Jewels in the head with a flashlight. According to the criminal complaint, Johnson was arguing with his girlfriend over ownership of the 9.8 pound Pit Bull puppy. His girlfriend wanted to keep the puppy, but Johnson stated the puppy belonged to him. Johnson further stated that if he couldn’t have the puppy no one would. He then struck the puppy in the head 3 times with the flashlight, causing her death.

According to Johnson’s statement, 5 or 6 people witnessed the beating in the parking lot where it occurred. He remarked, “They were looking at me like I was a maniac.”

Dwayne R. Johnson is being charged with one count of felony Mistreatment of Animals/Cause Death.

(Photo left: the accused Dwayne R. Johnson)

Motion hearing in Madison cockfighting case continued

A motion hearing was held in Dane County Circuit Court on January 20, 2010 in the matter of Jorge Iglesias. Iglesias is charged with multiple counts of felony instigation of animal fights for allegedly running a cockfighting operation out of his Madison, WI home.

The motion hearing on January 20 was held in order to discuss the defendant's motion to dismiss for selective and discriminatory prosecution. The judge has ordered the matter continued, and will be heard February 16, 2010 at 1:00 pm.

For a full report of the accusations against Jorge Iglesias, please see:
*Motion to dismiss filed in alleged Madison cockfighting case
*Jury Trial scheduled in Madison cockfighting case
*Hearing Scheduled for tomorrow in alleged case of Madison cockfighting

Motion to dismiss filed in alleged Madison cockfighting case

The jury trial of Jorge Iglesias (charged with illegal cockfighting in Madison) originally scheduled for November 2, 2009 was cancelled. The defense motioned the court to dismiss the case due to “selective and discriminatory prosecution.”

A hearing on the motion to dismiss is scheduled for January 20, 2010. It appears that Jorge Iglesias will also be obtaining new counsel before that time.

For a full report of the accusations against Jorge Iglesias, please see:
*Jury Trial scheduled in Madison cockfighting case
*Hearing Scheduled for tomorrow in alleged case of Madison cockfighting

Jury trial scheduled in Madison cockfighting case

A final pre-trial is scheduled for tomorrow, October 15, 2009, in the matter of a Madison man accused of holding cockfights. Jorge L. Iglesias was charged on June 26, 2009 with 13 felony counts of instigating animal fights.

Jorge Iglesias entered a plea of not guilty on all charges during his June initial appearance hearing. A jury trial is scheduled for November 3, 2009 in the Dane County Circuit Court.

Related story: Hearing scheduled for tomorrow in alleged case of Madison cockfighting (detailed story)

Joint Public Hearing scheduled for September 23 in Madison for Dog Breeders Licensure Bill

A public hearing is scheduled for September 23, 2009 at 10:00 am at the State Capitol regarding AB-250/SB-208, the Smith-Kreitlow Commercial Dog Breeders Licensure Bill. Members of the public are encouraged to attend this meeting.

In short, bill AB-250 will help to eliminate puppy mills in the state of Wisconsin. It will put into place strict rules for dog breeders and shelters, and make their facilities subject to inspection by the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. It will also put laws into place regarding standards of care for animals covered by the bill.

The bill is still in committee in both the State Assembly and Senate. Attending the meeting on the 23rd will be members of committees who are reviewing the bill, as well as any members of the public who wish to attend.

What: Public Hearing on the Smith-Kreitlow Commercial Dog Breeders Licensure Bill (AB-250/SB-208)
When: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 10:00 am
Where: State Capitol, Room 412 East, Madison WI

For more info: The Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project, Inc.

Hearing scheduled for tomorrow in alleged case of Madison cockfighting

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for tomorrow for Jorge L. Iglesias, 47, in an alleged case of cockfighting in Madison. On June 16, 2009 a City of Madison Building Inspector and a Humane Officer for the Madison and Dane County Department of Public Health were called to inspect the property at 1241 Moorland Road in the City of Madison in response to an anonymous report of rooster crowing coming from the address. Per Madison City Ordinance, residents are permitted to keep up to four chickens, but roosters are not allowed to be kept within the city.

According to the criminal complaint, no one was home when the humane officer and building inspector arrived. A chicken coop was visible and they were able to enter the coop through an open door. The humane officer reported several chickens going in and out of the coop, as well as a cockfighting rooster inside. She stated that the rooster was easily identifiable as a fighting bird due to the feathers being shaved on the legs, front, neck and head, leaving only wing and tail feathers. The bird also had its comb and wattles removed, as well as its natural spurs.
The humane officer also reported a fenced-in area on the property with rows of stacked pens and cages containing game cocks. In addition, the area contained cockfighting paraphernalia such as a blood iron booster, syringes and empty alcohol bottles.

The humane officer stated that she located in a separate area on the property a portable wood and carpet fighting pit that was disassembled near a fence. Near the alleged ring there were several lawn chairs, empty beer bottles, and additional cages containing fighting cocks, game hens and some chicks.

A search warrant was executed on the property, and a total of 35 game cocks and approximately 17 game hens (some with baby chicks) were reported seized. A Madison police officer stated that additional property was seized, including plastic cockfighting spurs, a folding knife, four syringes, and 2009 editions of Gamecock Magazine. The residence also contained multiple pieces of correspondence addressed to Jorge L. Iglesias, who was present on the property and acknowledged the property as his. Iglesias is currently being charged with one felony count of Instigating Animal Fights and twelve counts of Training for Instigation of Animal Fights.